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How To Fight Trump's Attack On Black Athletes

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President Donald Trump took aim at NFL players for speaking out against police brutality and racial injustice. During a rally reminiscent of those from his campaign trail, he noted that these players were disrespecting the U.S., the troops, and the American flag by choosing to kneel in protest during the national anthem.

In a sport where 70% of the players are Black, and 0% of the owners are Black, Trump's “field” comments are an eerie reminder of why some consider the NFL a plantation system with similarities to slavery.

Despite the staggering salaries of pro sports players, "Get that son of a b---- off the field" is a statement meant to remind people where the NFL industry's real power lies - with owners who are able to control the lives of Black men with a single word.

Colin Kaepernick is currently unsigned, which some see as the league’s attempt to beat him into submission and make an example of him, forcing other players to behave in ways that please their owners.

In true form of an egotistic shrewd capitalist, Trump has chosen to side with the owners instead of the laborers. While this may work in his real estate business, it is not an attitude the American people would prefer in their president.

Even worse, Trump misses the ultimate point Kaepernick and others are trying make - bringing attention to police violence against Black communities at a rate disproportionate to any other group of American citizens.

President Trump's recent comments contradict his appeals to Black Americans during the 2016 campaign:

“I have heard and listened to the concerns raised by African American citizens about our justice system, and I promise that under a Trump administration the law will be applied fairly, equally and without prejudice. There will be only one set of rules — not a two-tiered system of justice.”

Yeah, right.

Although 92% of Black voters saw the disconnect between these scripted words and those of his more off-the-cuff appeals to law enforcement (i.e. the time he gave law enforcement officers permission to rough up suspects taken into custody) we still expect the President of the U.S. to take into consideration the interests of all citizens.

Trump himself even recognized this requirement:

“Every African American citizen in this country is entitled to a government that puts their jobs, wages and security first. … Here is the promise that I make to you: Whether you vote for me or not, I will be your greatest champion.”